Ambient sound responsive media player

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a method of adjusting an output of a media player comprising capturing an ambient audio signal; processing the ambient audio signal to determine whether one or more characteristic forms are present within the ambient audio signal; and reducing an output of a media player from a first volume to a second volume if the one or more characteristic forms are present within the ambient audio signal. The characteristic forms may be, for example, a name or personal identifier of a user of the media player, the voice of a user of the media player, or an alarm or siren.

1 . A method of adjusting an output of a media player comprising: 
 capturing an ambient audio signal;    processing the ambient audio signal to determine whether one or more characteristic forms are present within the ambient audio signal; and    reducing an output of a media player from a first volume to a second volume if the one or more characteristic forms are present within the ambient audio signal.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise a name or personal identifier of a user of the media player.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise the voice of a user of the media player.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise an alarm or siren.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise one or more generic words commonly used to summon attention.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise a common household sound selected from the group consisting of a doorbell ring, a telephone ring and a baby's cry.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise the voice of a person other than a user of the media player.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the reducing step further comprises reducing the output of the media player if a volume of the one or more characteristic forms exceeds a volume threshold.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the reducing step further comprises reducing the output of the media player in a manner that is performed gradually over a period of time.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second volume is a fixed percentage of the first volume.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second volume is based at least in part upon a volume level of the one or more characteristic forms.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second volume is a fixed volume on an absolute volume scale of the media player.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 resuming the output of the media player to the first volume in a manner that is performed gradually over a period of time.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the media player maintains the output at the second volume for a fixed duration.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the media player maintains the output at the second volume until the media player is manually reset to the first volume.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the media player maintains the output at the second volume for a duration dependent upon the one or more characteristic forms.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the media player is manually reset to the first volume by actuating a button on the media player.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the reducing step further comprises reducing the output of the media player upon receiving an electronic alert signal.  
   
   
       19 . A method of adjusting an output of a media player comprising: 
 capturing an ambient audio signal;    processing the ambient audio signal to determine whether one or more characteristic forms are present within the ambient audio signal; and    mixing at least a portion of the ambient audio signal with a first output of a media player to generate a second output of the media player if the one or more characteristic forms are present within the ambient audio signal.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise a name or personal identifier of a user of the media player.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise the voice of a user of the media player.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise an alarm or siren.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise one or more generic words commonly used to summon attention.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise a common household sound selected from the group consisting of a doorbell ring, a telephone ring and a baby's cry.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the one or more characteristic forms comprise the voice of a person other than a user of the media player.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the mixing step further comprises mixing the at least a portion of the ambient audio signal with the first output of the media player to generate the second output of the media player if a volume of the one or more characteristic forms exceeds a volume threshold.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the mixing step further comprises mixing the at least a portion of the ambient audio signal with the first output of the media player to generate the second output of the media player in a manner that is performed gradually over a period of time.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 19  wherein a first volume of the at least a portion of the ambient audio signal is gradually increased and a second volume of the first output of the media player is gradually decreased.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 19  wherein a first volume of the at least a portion of the ambient audio signal is substantial relative to a second volume of the first output of the media player, such that the at least a portion of the ambient audio signal is clearly audible.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 resuming the first output of the media player in a manner that is performed gradually over a period of time.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the media player maintains the second output for a fixed duration following the determination of the one or more characteristic forms.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the media player maintains the second output until the media player is manually reset to the first output.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the media player maintains the second output dependent upon a duration of the detected one or more characteristic forms.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the media player is manually reset to the first output by actuating a button on the media player.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the mixing step further comprises mixing the at least a portion of the ambient audio signal with the first output of the media player to generate the second output of the media player upon receiving an electronic alert signal over a wireless link.  
   
   
       36 . An apparatus for use in a media player comprising: 
 a microphone; and    one or more processors adapted to: 
 process an ambient audio signal received by the microphone to determine whether one or more characteristic forms are present within the ambient audio signal, and  
 adjust an output of a media player if the one or more characteristic forms are present within the ambient audio signal.  
   
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 36  wherein the one or more processors are adapted to reduce the output of the media player from a first volume to a second volume.  
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 37  wherein the one or more characteristic forms are selected from the group consisting of a name or personal identifier of a user of the media player, the voice of a user of the media player, and an alarm or siren.  
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 36  wherein the one or more processors are adapted to mix at least a portion of the ambient audio signal with a first output of the media player to generate a second output of the media player.  
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39  wherein the one or more characteristic forms are selected from the group consisting of a name or personal identifier of a user of the media player, the voice of a user of the media player, and an alarm or siren.